General Information on IGLYO

IGLYO is short for International Lesbian and Gay Youth Organization.

We are a world-wide association of and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth.

Our Aims...	to bring an end to discrimination against young lesbian, gay, and bisexual and transgendered people the world over. to support the emancipation of young lesbians, gays, and bisexual and transgendered people the world over. to create equal opportunities for all young people. In order to fulfill these goals IGLYO has firmly committed itself to the struggle against sexism and racism. The organization practices a policy of positive discrimination for women, ethnic minorities, variably abled people and members of other traditionally under-represented groups.
Our History...	Beginning in 1984, when the Dutch Gay Youth Platform (LHJO) hosted the first International Gay Youth Congress and Festival in Amsterdam, Holland. The participants regarded the event as such a success that they decided to arrange a follow-up. In 1985, Ireland's National Gay Federation hosted the second Congress in Dublin. At the Dublin conference plans were made to establish a facility to collect and distribute information about lesbian, gay, and bisexual young people and their groups. The youth group of Norway volunteered to organize the International Gay Youth Information Pool (IGYIP), as well as host the Third Congress. At the end of the conference in Oslo, it was decided to establish IGLYO as a permanent organization for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual youth. And we have been going ever since.
Our Work...	includes the publication of Speak Out, an international magazine for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. Speak Out is distributed to all IGLYO member organizations, as well as other interested groups and individuals. It also serves as a bulletin concerning IGLYO's activates. The organization's political work consists mainly of participation in youth work on an international level. IGLYO is presently involved with a number of international, national, and regional youth groups including: the European Co-ordination Bureau, the European Youth Centre and Foundation, The youth Forum of the European Communities, UNESCO, the Commonwealth Youth Program and various United States youth groups and organizations. In addition, IGLYO considers international campaigning to be of great value. We will continue to organize and coordinate such activates. Lastly, the organization provides lesbian, and bisexual youth with a forum in which they can exchange ideas on an international level. IGLYO sponsors activates such as the International Lesbian and Gay Youth Conference, Youth Exchanges, and the Lesbian and Gay Youth Penpal Program.
Membership is...	available to any lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual youth or student organization that is either fully autonomous or an integral part of another organization. IGLYO defines youth as individuals 26 and under. Groups that are ineligible for full membership, such as adult lesbian, gay, bisexual and or transgendered organizations, political parties, or other groups can become associate members of IGLYO provided they appoint a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered youth contact.

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Last modified: Fri Feb 21 19:37:20 MET 1997 Copyright IGLYO, Gais et Lesbiennes Branchés, © 1997